About the GVH Foundation
The GV Health Foundation exists to strengthen health and wellbeing across the Goulburn Valley. We collaborate and provide support to GV Health to ensure local people can access high-quality, equitable care close to home.
Our Vision
Our vision is clear: improved health outcomes and reduced inequities for people across the Goulburn Valley, now and for generations to come.
The Challenge
The Goulburn Valley faces significant health challenges characterised by a high prevalence of chronic conditions and deep-seated systemic inequities. More than a third of the population lives with at least one long-term health issue, a burden that falls most heavily on rural residents, those facing socioeconomic disadvantage, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
The region’s health challenges are driven by several interconnected factors:
- Social and Structural Barriers: High levels of housing insecurity, lower education, and rising homelessness create a foundation of poor health. For Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, and culturally diverse populations, these issues are worsened by language barriers and a lack of culturally safe care.
- Environmental and Population Pressures: Rapid growth and the compounding effects of natural disasters, specifically the 2022 floods and 2026 fires, have placed the regional health infrastructure and workforce under sustained strain.
- Systemic Under-investment: Historically, the region has received less public investment in health infrastructure compared to metropolitan areas, leading to fewer local services and fragmented care pathways.
How we work
We mobilise community generosity and build strong partnerships to invest in what matters most. As a trusted bridge between the community and GV Health, we listen, advocate and translate local priorities into targeted action.
Where we focus
- Infrastructure, facilities and equipment
- Cancer, chronic disease and mental health
- Safe, welcoming and healing care environments that caters for our regions culturally diverse population
- Workforce development, wellbeing and innovation
- Investments that reduce the need to travel to metropolitan and other regional health care services.
By strengthening resources, capability and care environments today, we help deliver better patient experiences, stronger services and a more resilient regional health system for the future.
About GV Health
GV Health is the main health service in the Goulburn Valley. Services include a 24-hour Emergency Department, Surgery, Medical Services, Women’s and Children’s Services, Rehabilitation and Palliative Care, Mental Health, Outpatients, community-based health programs and services at Tatura, Rushworth and Euroa.
GV Health has more than 3,000 staff across six main sites. Staff are highly skilled and the hospital is the largest permanent employer in the Goulburn Valley.
GV Health’s primary catchment includes the local government areas of Greater Shepparton, Moira and Strathbogie. The total catchment stretches into Southern New South Wales and the overall catchment population is approximately 150,000 people. GV Health’s secondary catchment includes Benalla, Mansfield and the south eastern portions of Campaspe Shire.
The primary catchment of Greater Shepparton is one of the most vibrant culturally and linguistically diverse communities in Victoria. The Greater Shepparton community also includes the largest regional population of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and a significant number of people born overseas.